Kitchen safety and cooking

Cooking is not only the leading cause of Olathe home fires, but it is the leading cause of fires in the United States. It is also the leading cause of fire injuries. Help make your home safer when cooking by remembering:

An adult should always stay in the kitchen when cooking!

Keep young children out of the kitchen.

Keep anything that can burn like towels, curtains, paper, etc. away from the stove and other heating appliances including toasters and coffeemakers.

Wear tight clothing or short sleeves-loose clothing can catch on fire.

Use back burners first and keep pot handles turned toward the back of the stove so young children don't grab them and pull them down, spilling the hot contents on themselves.

Slide a lid on grease fires-never use water, salt, or baking powder to fight a grease fire. Baking soda or a fire extinguisher will also work, but a lid usually works best.

If a fire is bigger than a small trash can, get out and call 911 from a neighbor's home - don't try to fight the fire.

Keep appliance cords high up on the counter away from curious hands.

Unplug electrical appliances when you're not using them, and don't overload the electrical outlets.

Be careful of food cooked in a microwave - it can burn. Foods like filled pastries, sauces in jars, frozen dinners, popcorn, etc. can cause steam burns.

In 2007 across the United States, nearly 1,300 home cooking fires happened on Thanksgiving Day – that’s almost three times the daily average according to the National Fire Protection Association and United States Fire Administration. These home fires cause more property damage and claim more lives than any other day. Unattended cooking is cited as the culprit.

In the US, grill fires cause an estimated $37 million in property damage each year, according to the United States Fire Administration. And, nearly half of all injuries, involving grills, are thermal burns. By knowing just a few grill tips, you can help everyone have a safe summer. When grilling, remember to:

Always grill outdoors – never grill inside the home or garage.

Place grills on a flat and stable surface, such as a concrete patio, and away from things that can burn like your deck or home.

Keep kids and pets at least three-feet away from the grill.

Before using a propane grill, check the connection between the tank and the fuel line for leaks.

Keep an eye on your grill. Never leave a hot grill unattended.

After using a charcoal grill, let the coals completely cool before disposing them in a metal container. Never place coals in plastic, paper or wooden containers.